Nordea Start-up Accelerator: Designing tomorrows´ banking services

Nordea is looking for small innovative companies to partner with in order to design the banking services for tomorrow. The need for new ideas and a fresh perspective on future banking services has led to the creation of the ‘Nordea Start-up Accelerator’ programme.

The intensive three-month programme will challenge selected start-ups to develop new innovative services or technological solutions for Nordea’s customers in the areas of customer contact, savings and payments services.

“We have to change the way we think about tomorrow’s banking services. We need new insight and new ideas for that. We believe that a growing number of ideas will come from small companies working around the banking sector. New start-ups in this industry are emerging all the time, so launching the Accelerator programme gives us the opportunity to join forces with some of the best new players on the field”, says Head of Digital Banking, Christian Bornfeld.

Employees to share their competences as mentors

“We encourage start-ups from across Nordic region and Northern Europe to apply. Not only can we provide a unique opportunity to work with and learn from Nordea's experts and executives but we also feel that start-ups can benefit greatly from the collaboration with like-minded companies from across Northern Europe. The companies will also receive 6,000 euros in starting capital from our partner, Nestholma” says Jussi Mekkonen, Deputy Head of Banking Household in Finland.

Nordea’s employees will play a key role in the success of the Accelerator programme. Interest in becoming a mentor has been high. So far 50 employees from all over the organisation, all with very different backgrounds, have volunteered to work with the start-ups. They will be able to offer support for the duration of the project, helping it with relevant information and the suitable contacts inside Nordea. The mentors will also actively participate in the start-ups’ brainstorming and be able to bring new ideas and experience into each project group.

The programme will be based in Helsinki and begin in November. The application period is open now and will continue until 25 September, after which the process of selecting the start-ups begins. You can follow and engage with our team directly on our twitter account at @NordeaStartup.